Self Service

Being selfish is being bad we’ve learned since the childhood… but is that really so? I mean what’s the harm in thinking about oneself…

This is some years back, I had just moved from Bangalore to Gurgaon for my first job soon after college. After hunting for lot of places I settled down for the Paying guest accommodation, it was a convenient location as wasn’t very far from my office and also was quiet reasonable which was very important at that point of time. It was run by this old Haryanvi couple, not that they were very polite but something about them was very true and practical.

Dada Ji as he was popularly known among the girls in the PG was an ex-police officer and was in his early 70’s. He owned two double storied houses standing adjacent to each other, entire thing converted into a paying guest except the first floor of one of  the houses where couple use to live. Comfortable place with all the basic facilities.

Dada Ji was very particular about rent, late by a day and u’ll start getting calls. To avoid that, once back from my office in the evening I went to hand over the rent to him. Dadi Ji was sitting on a sofa having her shoulders and neck massaged from a full time maid they had. Dadi ji had a round face and strong round body; her normal conversation would sound as if she is fighting with someone but never felt offensive also I never heard anybody talking anything bad about her.

“sit down”, Dadi Ji to me.

“go make two cups of tea”, Dadi ji to her maid in a straight Haryanvi accent.

As soon as I settled down she got a call on her mobile phone,

“Yes Shalini”- in her authoritative voice.

“You won’t be able to come! no why?.... ok,Akshat’s exams are going to start”

“No problem, Jayender and Suneeta will be here anyways”

“They know how to manage their time”

“Blah blah blah….”

“We have been thinking about property distribution from few days”

“blah blah blah… see if you can make it your father and I will be happy”

 Finally the phone call ended. Dadi Ji smiled at me and said it was her younger daughter-in-law, they live in sector 15. “Sector 15 isn't very far, why are they living saperately” I said spontaneously and regretted as soon as i heard my own words. She gave her usual naughty grin and said “you know I have a straight tongue not everyone is comfortable with it and also I believe everyone has a right to live their life their way”

“They can live in the next house, you all can have your privacy”- I said.

“Can’t ask them for rent” she winked.

What a selfish straight forward budiya I thought.

We have given them good education and have made them capable; now let them take care of themselves.

That was a nice tea… she appreciated the fact that these days girls move out of their comfort zone to stand on their own feet. “ but you girls don’t take care of yourself… you are all so pale and thin”. The content and glow on Dadi’s face had definitely put me in complex. “It is your Dadaji’s birthday this Saturday and like every year the entire family that is both my sons, their wives and four grandchildren will be together to celebrate it.” I wondered as the daughter-in-law had her doubts.

In few days Dada Ji celebrated his birthday with both his son’s and their families… well Dadi was quite sure already that Akshat’s exam will not be able to spoil her fun!

In my 18 months stay there,couple was always very helpful. No one ever hated them nor pitied them; everyone gave them the respect they deserved.

When last met them to say good bye they said “stay happy wherever you live”. The stay wasn’t very long but taught me the biggest lesson of my life, also mentioned the board i saw in one of the restaurant this morning- “Self Service is the god’s service”.